Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will demo-run Ayrton Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8 at this year’s Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
This year F1 remembers Senna 30 years on from the tragic accident that cost him his life at the Imola circuit – at just 34 years of age.
Vettel will join in celebrating the great Brazilian’s life, by igniting the Ford V8-powered MP4/8 at Imola on May 19.
“Ayrton Senna was not only a driver who I valued highly for being one of the best racing has ever seen, but also a man of great compassion,” said Vettel on his Instagram.
“It’s been 30 years since his accident and I would like to pay tribute to Ayrton.
“I will be in Imola for the Grand Prix to drive his car, the McLaren MP4/8. I hope to see you on Sunday, May 19.”
The MP4/8 represented the peak of F1’s technological age in the 1990’s.
Spurned on by the title-winning Williams FW14B of 1992, the rest of the field followed suit in ’93, crafting F1 cars packed to the gills with electronic and driver aids.
Having lost Honda power and switching to a customer Ford V8 engine, McLaren entered the ’93 season at somewhat of a disadvantage.
Still, its capability as a racing machine was profound, especially in the hands of Senna, who finished second in the 1993 Drivers’ Championship on the back of five Grand Prix wins.
The enigmatic Brazilian saw victory at Sao Paulo, Donington Park, Monaco, Suzuka and Adelaide in what were some of his greatest wins with the fifth in ’93 being the last of his career.
Senna was only bettered in 1993 by his rival Alain Prost, who piloted the all-conquering Williams FW15C.
As Prost retired, Senna took the Frenchman’s place at Williams for 1994 and the three-time champion was keen to emulate his rival’s success.
Tragically, a developing title fight with Benetton’s Michael Schumacher was taken from Senna, F1 and the sport’s fans when the Brazilian suffered a freak accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
The crash cost Senna his life and the motorsport world lost one of its leading lights.
Now Vettel, a four-time champion and F1 legend in his own right will bring Senna’s spirit back to life at Imola, 30 years later, behind the wheel of the stunning MP4/8.
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